Off the Couch: Chattanooga's HATCH 2012 scrambles up some arty fun

Off the Couch: Chattanooga's HATCH 2012 scrambles up some arty fun

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, I'm already cringing about bringing this up because I know your punny bone will be working overtime, but HATCH 2012 gets under way in earnest at the end of the week.

This is a new festival in town that focuses on the creatives in our midst. Dozens and dozens of things are scheduled April 12-22 that celebrate history, arts, technology and culture in the Chattanooga area.

It pains me to egg you on, but do your worst.

LISA DENTON: I think HATCH is an eggscellent idea that I'm eggstra excited about, but it remains to be seen if it's all it's cracked up to be. I'm just getting started.

I'm betting those three puns won't go over easy with you. But keep in mind that you said "dozens and dozens" in relation to HATCH, so you may not be as hard-boiled as you'd like to let on.

But it's not just me who sees the fun pun potential. The very first event, Thursday night at the Hunter Museum, is an arts sampler with performers offering dance, spoken word, theater, music and film. It's called - wait for it - the HATCH Scramble.

BARRY: Well, you didn't disappoint. I knew it was coming, and it still didn't go over easy. I won't try to outpun you, though. I know when I'm in huevo-r my head and oeuf base.

LISA: Wow, trilingual puns. I'm impressed.

BARRY: HATCH is a cool idea that basically tries to create a festival atmosphere around the many things going on. It's hard to list everything, but there are events, gallery showings, public art pieces, lectures, music performances and more.

Omelet you tell people where to get more info.

LISA: Om-e-let? You win.

The website, www.hatchchatt.org, lists 170 events over that 11-day span, including existing events, such as the 4 Bridges Arts Festival and Palate 2 Palette, that have been brought under HATCH's wing. Perhaps the most visible will be 10X10, a 10-day showcase of 100 creative works in a 10- by 10-block grid downtown.